23 Mar 2017

Liverpool legend Ronnie Whelan recently bemoaned Liverpool's failure to sign 'excellent' Sunderland star Jermain Defoe, but if Klopp deigns to pursue Defoe this summer, the Reds may have a great chance of sealing a deal on the cheap.

In a recent column for The Herald, Whelan - who won 6 league titles and the European Cup during his time at Anfield - insisted:

"Jermain Defoe would have been a better option than either Sturridge and Origi, who seems to be heading in the same direction as Benteke".

"One of Sam Allardyce’s final acts was to hand Defoe a contract extension that contained a clause allowing him to leave for free in the event of relegation".

Liverpool were reportedly offered the chance to sign £15m-rated Defoe in January 2015, but Brendan Rodgers rejected the deal. At the time, Phil Thompson publicly endorsed: the transfer*

"I would love to see Defoe come to Anfield. He still has plenty of legs, and would really add to the squad".

I totally agree with this, and if Sunderland get relegated, then Defoe on a free transfer is an absolute no-brainer. Even at the age of 34, Defoe still offers a massive goal-threat (32 goals/assists in the last two seasons), and he'd immediately upgrade Liverpool's striking options.

When asked this week if he'll leave if Sunderland get relegated, Defoe unambiguously confirmed:

"Yes, I would need to be playing in the Premier League to have a chance of going to the World Cup. To get into any [international] squad is based on merit, so you have got to be playing at the top level, it is as simple as that."

As much as I'd like to see Defoe at Anfield, if he has genuine designs making England's World Cup squad, he's probably better off signing for a mid-table team as he's more likely to get consistent game time.